Webster University Completes Comprehensive Master Plan

The plan establishes a 15- to 20-year vision to transform the campus into a vibrant,
well-connected and student-oriented setting for learning, scholarship and service.

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 21, 2012 — Webster University released its comprehensive Webster
Groves campus master plan today. The plan builds on feedback from the City of Webster
Groves and community members dating back to 2010. Developed over the past year with
the internationally known planning and urban design firm Sasaki & Associates, the
plan establishes a 15- to 20-year vision that will transform the Webster Groves campus
into a vibrant, well-connected and student-oriented setting for learning, scholarship
and service.

“Webster University in Webster Groves will celebrate its centennial in 2015 and is
the symbolic and operational ‘heart' of the University with campus locations around
the world,” said Beth Stroble, president. “The master plan defines a transformational
vision for our future growth that can be shaped and molded and brought to life by
the creative insight of our students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and friends
of the university. We have chosen our path to global academic excellence and this
master plan helps us realize that.”

Julian Schuster, provost, senior vice president and chief operating officer, said
the master plan looks to the future while maintaining historic connections. “The final
plan provides an exciting roadmap for the campus that is rooted in the academic, student
life and global mission of the institution,” he said. “We intentionally set out to
create innovative approaches to sustainable and sensitive growth that reinforces a
strong landscape, sense of place and community, and provides a stronger visual identity
for the campus.”

The planning process, which began in September 2011, consisted of four phases: assessment,
exploration, master plan development and community engagement. Throughout the open
and collaborative planning process, the university engaged with students, faculty,
staff, alumni, trustees and community members to garner suggestions and input as possible
alternative concepts were developed. Refinements were made based on feedback from
all constituent groups, resulting in the final master plan. The final plan is available
on the University's website.

“We wanted this to be a collaborative process,” said Stroble. “Our communities – both
inside Webster University and the City of Webster Groves – care deeply about maintaining
the historical character of our buildings and our neighborhoods. It was important
to us to listen to them.”

The University's goal to grow its traditional, undergraduate population to 5,000 students
by 2020 is a key driver of the master plan. Major elements include:

Creating a new quad north of the Loretto-Hilton Center and flanked by a new 80,000-square-foot
Interdisciplinary Sciences Building which will include new laboratory space, as well
as general classrooms and study space to enhance the academic environment

Developing a housing cluster adding 1,000 beds, to be built as needed, at the south
edge of campus to house the growing number of undergraduate resident students

Building a new 10,000-square-foot on-campus recreation facility to enhance campus
life activities

Building a new 65,000-square-foot student center and dining facility to ensure students
have the amenities expected of a truly global university

Creating a new arts center totaling approximately 80,000 square feet that co-locates
fine and performing arts in a renovated and expanded University Center

The addition of Pearson House back into the plan based on extensive feedback from
constituent groups. Faculty, in particular, did not want to lose this historic building

Parking enhancements, including adding 425 spaces by expanding the existing garage,
creating a new surface lot and creating spaces beneath the new recreation facility

Proposals of uses of properties north of East Lockwood Avenue that maintain the character
of surrounding neighborhoods and preserve green space

“This plan addresses our need for cross-functionality across academic and administrative
departments within the campus,” said Schuster. “It also provides the vision for cross-collaboration
across geographic locations so that Webster students, faculty and staff can work together
across traditional boundaries.”

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only
Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international
residential campuses. Founded in 1915, Webster University's campus network today includes
metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional
residential campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed
to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global
citizenship and individual excellence.